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Mandy Williams
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation recently awarded scholarships to two Blaine County students through the state’s largest independent scholarship program. Dranelle Hayes from Watonga High School and Mandy Williams from Geary High School were awarded scholarships totaling $9,500 for the 2022-23 academic year.
Hayes is a recipient of the Laurena Ann Opdyke Nursing Scholarship, a scholarship offered to thirdand fourth-year college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She also received the Nurse Education Program Scholarship, an award provided to third- and fourthyear college students enrolled in a nursing program and practicing registered nurses pursuing a nursing-related bachelor’s degree. Hayes, who received a total of $5,500 in scholarships, plans to pursue a degree in nursing at Oral Roberts University this fall.
Williams received the Oklahoma Youth with Promise Scholarship, a $4,000 award offered through one of the Community Foundation’s statewide scholarship programs. Williams will be attending the University of Central Oklahoma in the fall.
“At the Community Foundation, it is our mission to recognize and meet the changing needs in our community,” said Trisha Finnegan, Oklahoma City Community Foundation President and CEO. “The cost of higher education has steadily increased over the past two decades and is a major barrier for many students. Our scholarship program, thanks to generous donors, continues to grow, more than doubling the total amount awarded over the past six years.”
Designed to support a diverse range of students, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s scholarship program assists students as they pursue the educational opportunities needed to reach their highest aspirations. In total, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation awarded more than $3.3 million in scholarships to more than 800 students throughout the state for the 2022-23 academic year. Several scholarships are renewable to assist with costs beyond one year.
Online Scholarship Applications Now Open for 2023-24 Academic Year
Graduating seniors from all 77 Oklahoma counties may be eligible to apply for scholarships for the upcoming year. Online applications are now open. To learn more about the scholarships available through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit occf.org/scholarships.